Frame policy for premature release of convicts: HC to govt

ALLAHABAD: The Allahabad high court has directed the state government to lay down a transparent policy regarding premature release of convicts who have been languishing in prisons for a long time.

The bench comprising justice Ramesh Sinha and justice DK Singh passed the order while allowing a petition filed by Chandrasi and Tillu of Allahabad.

The petitioners had prayed the court to quash an order passed by the state government rejecting the application of the petitioners for their premature release from jail. They had also urged the court to direct the state government to consider their application. The petitioners were sentenced for life in a murder case and were in central jail, Naini, Allahabad. They had undergone uninterrupted imprisonment for more than 20 years. However, the authorities refused to release them premature on the ground that co-accused in the case were also in jail.

Advocates KK Roy and Charlie Prakash appearing for petitioners argued that there was no such provision/guideline that in

case co-convicts are lying in jail, other convicts who have prayed for premature release would be refused release on that sole ground. The court, while setting aside the refusal order, directed the state government to reconsider the petitioners’ case in the light of fair and non-discriminatory principles by speaking order within a month.